Argus House

Community-based group home for at-risk boys ages 13-17, specifically juveniles who have committed delinquent offenses — or have been labeled as a child in need of supervision — and who display the motivation and ability to change

Emphasizes personal accountability, competency development, leadership and positive functioning in the community

Works closely with parents, siblings, schools, probation counselors, employers and community members to help residents make lasting changes in their lives

Allows residents to continue attending their own schools while in the program, which residents usually complete within 12 months

Provides residents with opportunities to hold appropriate employment, participate in sports and other school activities and to spend weekend time with their families

For more information, contact Group Home Manager Chris Edmonds at 703-228-0422.

Aurora House

Serves females ages 13-17 who reside in Arlington or the City of Falls Church and who demonstrate significant problems that prevent them from living with parents or family members

Deals most frequently with school truancies and home runaways who often have other underlying problems such as highly troubled child abuse histories, promiscuity, low self-esteem, depression, chronic authority-figure conflicts, problematic peer relationships and gang-member associations

Basics of Safe Driving Program

CASA Program

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) workers are trained volunteers appointed by judges to speak up for children in the juvenile court system. They:

Advocate for the best solution for a safe, permanent home for the children with whom they are matched.

Work alongside attorneys, social workers, treatment providers and other professionals to advocate for the child.

If you are interested in becoming a CASA worker or want more information about the program call 703-836-1820 or go to www.scanva.org

Community Service/Restitution

Gives adjudicated juveniles and adults an opportunity to repay the community for the injustice they have caused.

Offenders perform community service through a court order or a diversion program.

Offenders are referred to Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington County (OAR) for work-site supervision and assignment.

OAR assesses a participant’s skills, education, experience and talent; finds placements that consider school and work schedules; and matches the community service requirements with a community need and request.

Detention Diversion Program (DDP)

Offers a home-detention alternative to the secure detention of juveniles awaiting criminal court proceedings by allowing them to return home with their parents/guardians instead of being detained at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home

Releases juveniles upon their agreement to follow the strict conduct rules as stated in the DDP Contract/Court Order

Closely monitors each juvenile’s behavior at home, at school and in the community to ensure compliance with the court orders

Driver’s License Ceremony

Formal Driver’s License Ceremony takes place the first Wednesday of each month to distribute new driver’s licenses to persons under the age of 18.

Letters are mailed to drivers inviting them to attend a ceremony. Drivers who are under 18 years of age must attend with a parent or legal guardian.

Attendees should dress appropriately for court and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the ceremony to check in.

Drivers must surrender their Learner’s Permit and Driver Education Certificate at the time of the ceremony. The ceremony lasts about an hour.

If you cannot attend the ceremony, you may attend any subsequent ceremony. The Clerk’s Office will keep the license until it expires. The Chief Judge may waive the ceremony requirement for good cause. Call the Clerk’s Office at 703-228-4495 for more information

Gang Intelligence Program

Focuses on enhancing community safety through the enforcement of court-imposed rules such as curfew and court orders prohibiting juvenile delinquents from having contact with gang members or “wannabe” gang members

Holds rule violators accountable through the currently developed continuum of sanctions

Shares intelligence on gang activity and members

Helps prevent gang recruitment and activity

Girls’ Outreach

A year round partial day treatment program offering structure and supervision to adolescent girls ages 13-17 who reside and attend school in Arlington Virginia or the City of Falls Church

Client referrals are accepted from the Court, schools, DHS or the youth’s family

Fosters self-esteem through psycho educational groups, structured activities, community service and therapeutic recreation

Mediation Program

Mediation can reduce the time, cost and stress of resolving conflicts. Family issues can be resolved through mediation. Skilled mediators help participants work with each other to resolve their disputes in the areas of child custody, visitation and child support. Mediation promotes trust, cooperation and respect, while giving voice to the emotions which arise with such stressful issues.

Custody and visitation cases are reviewed at intake to see if they are eligible to be referred to attend a mediation orientation session which is at no cost to the participants. Following the orientation session, the parties may choose to go forward with mediation with a mediator of their choosing. The mediator is there to help focus on relevant issues and assist in finding useful and creative methods to solve problems. If the parties are able to reach a resolution, the mediator will assist the parties in drafting a written agreement which will then be presented to the Court.

Probation and Curfew Enforcement (PACE) Program

Involves Arlington police officers working with a court probation counselor to make checks on high-risk juveniles

Helps decrease the chances of probationers and parolees engaging in unacceptable behavior due to the unpredictable times these checks occur

Is popular with parents, as it takes some of the responsibility of “reporting” their children away from them and places it on the court

Project “Open Book”

Distributes thousands of books for all ages to court clients in the waiting area and through the Intake and Probation Units

Distributes books on an individual basis to a child or parent when requested by a staff member

Receives most books from the Reading Is Fundamental program, which encourages child literacy and positive communication among family members

Also receives books and other donations from interested community members and organizations

Psychological Services

Includes services for adults and juveniles such as individual and family therapy, group therapy, skills training, mental health evaluations and psychological testing

Includes consultation and training for probation counselors and special program staff, with direct and consultative services available to the Juvenile and Adult Units, Argus House, Aurora House and Girls’ Outreach program

Includes a Psychology Externship Program for graduate students working toward doctorate degrees in clinical psychology at local universities — under supervision, externs provide individual, family and group therapy; mental health evaluations; and psychological testing to all court units and programs

Public Relations Program

Educates the public about juvenile justice in Arlington through court tours and various speaking engagements

Makes presentations in various settings ranging from major universities and community colleges to high schools and churches (civic and parent groups and schools comprise the majority of the presentation requests)

To request a speaker for your group, email the Public Relations Program coordinator. tcoffman@arlingtonva.us

School Probation Counselor Program

Provides intensive supervision and assistance to adjudicated juveniles with a history of school problems

Provides counselors at all Arlington high schools for cases referred from juvenile probation counselors

Shoplifter Program

Is a diversion and court-referral program for first-time petty larceny offenders

Educates juveniles and their parents on the harm that shoplifting causes

Involves speakers such as retailers, commonwealth attorneys, defense attorneys and court staff members

In lieu of a court appearance, requires juveniles to attend a 2.5-hour program session, pass a test on presented material and complete a community service assignment

Sends those who repeatedly fail to appear for the program to court

Street Law Program

Reduces delinquency and improves compliance with probation conditions and the overall judicial system response

Runs monthly and requires all Detention Diversion Program clients and their parents to participate

Involves a self-assessment component in which participants reflect on their offense; address behavior and options; and analyze the positive and negative consequences of each option

Substance Abuse Program

Performs on-site drug screening to identify and deter illegal substance abuse and to promote an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle

Conducts a substance abuse assessment that includes the adolescent version of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-A2)

Distributes the Arlington County Training schedule and informs staff of area training opportunities, which include live presentations, televised instruction and interactive webcasts on topics such as gang information, suicide, truancy, teen behavior and victim’s rights

Truancy Awareness Group (TAG) Program

Provides education and information to parents of children with a history of unexcused absences from school

Helps parents understand their role in their child’s school performance and absences

Encourages parents to maintain open communication with both school personnel and their child to avoid truancy’s negative impact on the child’s life and livelihood

Truancy Program

Created following the Code of Virginia amendment that requires schools to address attendance issues following five unexcused absences

Addresses these absences through continued parent contact and conferences

Requires schools to bring truancy-related issues before the Intake Service Unit following seven unexcused school absences

Schedules interagency meetings with the Department of Human Services, school representatives, the student, the parents and the truancy coordinator to determine a solution to the truancy situation

Following the interagency meetings, refers families to the Community Assessment Team, if necessary

With the occurrence of continued student absences without parental permission, sends the student before a Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court judge for a situation review and additional solutions

Victim Awareness Program

Heightens juvenile offenders’ awareness of the impact their crimes have on the victims, the victims’ families and friends and the community